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All about Maurisun’s Conservation Holidays Become a real eco tourist As the demand for 'green' holidays is rising, why not set yourself apart from the other travellers by joining one of Maurisun’s conservation holidays? We offer you a unique experience, the chance to do something practical for the country you visit and make a contribution to nature conservation on a global scale. Living and working with the local community means that you get a real insight into a country's culture and its people. You don't need to be experienced in conservation work to be part of it. These holidays are all about learning new skills, sharing experiences and exchanging ideas. Working alongside volunteers from other countries is also a great way to make new friends. Every holiday comes with lots of free time to relax, explore your surroundings, see the sights and have fun. Meet new people A mixed group of up to 12 people interested in conservation and wildlife will join you. They could be 16 or 60 (We do not advise participants to be under the age of 14 for most holidays) from anywhere around the world or from the island itself and they will undoubtedly have different backgrounds and abilities. Maurisun has adapted an equal opportunities policy and welcomes people from all sections of the world on their so-called “Natural Breaks”. Learn new skills From a Natural Break, you'll take home more than your holiday photos. By the end of your stay you will have mastered the basics of many traditional conservation skills. You don't need any previous knowledge or experience as you'll be given a full explanation and demonstration, of what the project involves by its leaders. On some holidays, a local expert or craftsman will provide further insight into the technique you will be using and its value for the conservation of the surroundings. |
Your accommodation You're bound to find something you'll enjoy. Natural Breaks range from sleeping outdoors or on a mattress in a village hall to a luxury bed in a 5 star hotel. On some holidays, washing facilities are basic and nice long showers are not possible every day (depending on your choice of accommodation and location). We will make sure, however that they are made available on your working days. The money you pay covers only the cost of food, transport and accommodation. You'll start your day with a good breakfast. Around 9.00 am, work starts with a safety briefing to ensure that your working contribution will be both safe and effective. Lunch is usually a picnic and there will be tea breaks to keep you going! Since you'll be working outside in any weather, please come prepared with sunscreen or raincoat and insect repellent! The working day ends around 5.00pm. Back at base camp, everyone shares the cooking and cleaning, except in some of the "superior" accommodations, where meals are included. Plenty of food will be provided, although you may have to buy your own special requests, which may otherwise exhaust the limited budget. On some of the trips you’ll have to participate in the cooking and help with the dishwashing. Leisure time You will get at least one full day per week to explore the surroundings and the evenings are yours to do with as you please. We usually recommend a combination of leisure and conservation holidays. Choosing your holidays..... The following information will help you to choose the right place to spend your holiday and the accommodation which suit your needs. It may also provide answers to the most frequently asked questions (FAQ). |
Choice of accommodation Basic – Camping in tents, cooking on open fires, limited facilities. Some locations are beside rivers or lakes which provide unlimited water supplies at least for washing. Bring your own sleeping bag. Simple - village hall or equivalent with basic indoor cooking and washing facilities. Sleeping is usually on carry mats on the floor, unless otherwise indicated. Standard – Gust house, apartments, houses and bungalows that usually have a separate dining area and showers, as indicated. Superior – high quality self-catering bungalows or apartments; hotels which usually provide full catering. Does the price include my trip? Unless otherwise indicated the holiday price does not include travel fees. You have to make your own travel arrangements. We do, however, send out contact numbers for the other people in your group, and you may arrange to travel together with them to the pre-arranged meeting point. Our agencies will be happy to help you arrange your trip as well. Do I need to have any special skills? As all of the Natural Breaks are run by government leaders or experts in the specific field, you will be taught any necessary skills. You do not need to have practical experience in nature conservation work, unless it is specifically indicated. We try to have mixed groups in terms of experience, age and sex, so it's not always possible to accept people on a first come first served basis. Do I need to be able to speak the language? Whenever possible, we choose group leaders who speak English which is the official language of Mauritius. You may want to learn a few simple words in Creole just to be able to say hello, or to order your own drinks! This is very helpful and you will find yourself surrounded by a nation of naturally born teachers, trying to improve your language skills. |
Will local people be involved? The holidays are set up in collaboration with local organizations and with the aim of involving the community in any on-going work. We have volunteers joining directly from their schools with the principle of participation in order to be learning and meeting new people. Where will I be staying? Detailed descriptions of the accommodations appear in the general information and further details will be sent with your confirmation letter. If you want other accommodations than the ones suggested by us, a supplement will be added for upgrade and transport. What about food? I'm a vegetarian! Unless otherwise indicated, these holidays are self-catered by each group and everyone is expected to help prepare the food. We do try to make our partner organizations aware of any participants requiring special diets. So please notify Maurisun in advance of your diet specifications. How much work will I be doing? This varies from project to project, but you should be prepared to commit yourself for an average of about 30 hours per week. Evenings are free; with at least one day off per week, thus giving you time to explore the surrounding area. Short trips like weekend conservation trips may contain 6 to 8 hours of work per day, depending on the task at hand. Oftentimes, we will arrange the tasks or inform you about the work needing to be done. |